Different technologies have transformed the way we do business, especially during this pandemic where lots of processes had to migrate online. Today, it doesn’t matter if your business is in the simple industry of bricklaying or the complex world of software engineering, the important thing is that you can benefit from the affordable and convenient tools that technology can offer.
Here are some of the ways you can use tech to build work efficiency, save money, and boost your business ahead of the competition. Contact us.
- Make your website
Twenty years ago, near the start of the dot-com revolution, it could cost a person thousands of dollars to create a simple website. Today, it’s much cheaper, so much so that it can also be free! With the right tools and skills, you can create a brilliant, bespoke, and unique website for your business.
In recent years, there’s been an explosion of website building platforms such as WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. There are several more options and that fierce competition in the marketplace has made the prices of website building platforms more affordable.
Creating your website using these user-friendly platforms are a great way to boost your business’ online presence, sales, and branding. A good and strategic website can show off your products and services, provide information about your company, and feature happy customers and valuable testimonials. It’s also another way to get in touch with your customers.
Making your website also allows you to conveniently grow the platform in the future. You have options to upgrade features and pay for extras to improve your website visibility. Examples of such are better hosting, more notification options, and a nicer user interface and design.
- Take advantage of smart meters
For small businesses, especially sole traders, energy consumption is one of the biggest costs they will face. What most of these small businesses do not know is that smart meters exist to accurately track energy usage and properly allocate spending for it.
Manually estimating energy usage will need guesswork and doing that may mean that your budget for energy expenses is inaccurate. You may be allocating too little or too much, making it a problem for your financial planning. Smart meters are helpful devices that track the cost of energy use in near-real-time. Recently, it is becoming increasingly popular for not just businesses but also homes.
- Streamline bookkeeping with accountancy software
An area of business unquestionably improved by the digital revolution is bookkeeping and accountancy. The old stereotype of late filing, dodgy figures, and shoeboxes full of receipts are no longer realistic – not since a universe of accounting apps and services burst onto the scene in recent years.
There is a vast pool of bookkeeping products for you to choose from including expense tracker apps and automated accounting software that can remotely calculate your profit, loss, and tax liabilities.
It’s very easy to start with one given the popularity of the “freemium” end of the market, meaning you pay nothing to sign up and have the option to go all the way with more sophisticated paid offerings if needed. There are several options, but a few hours spent searching online will tell you plenty about which of them may be the most appropriate for your business. Contact us.
- Backup your files using cloud computing
Cloud computing may sound technical, but it is just a simple way to back up your information and enable access to it from other computers other than your main computer.
The cloud is useful for storing and accessing just about any kind of record on-the-go, from sales figures and invoices to quotes, job descriptions, and even marketing materials. Big businesses also use the cloud to share information anywhere between remote teams in real-time.
Examples of cloud software include iCloud, Dropbox, and Microsoft 365. These products are generally low-cost and offer subtly different tools to help you make the most of the cloud. Make sure to scan the market for all options to find out which is best for you and your business.
- Source the best project management software
This is a great example of specific cloud technology that can help a business organize itself and deliver work on time. A good project management software can allow you to manage a team, customize your project portfolio, plan projects in a visual interface, collaborate with a large number of stakeholders including customers and partners, and integrate with commonplace tools like Excel spreadsheets, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
There are also several options in the market because, like in the case of accountancy software, there has been an explosion of project management tools in recent years. These include relative newcomers like Monday, Asana, Slack, and Teamwork. The main selling point of this software is that they let you create projects and manage goals while enabling different people within your business to influence outcomes and provide updates to others.
Again, these tools generally begin at the low end of the cost spectrum, with prices increasing with the number of users and the level of sophistication you require. So, as with everything, it pays to shop around for the best product.
Once you’re equipped with these five basic technological wonders, you’ll be able to work fast, save money, and level the playing field with bigger and more established rivals. If you’re missing any of the above from your technology armory, now could be the time to update.
After you follow these tips to boost your small business, the next best step is to get cybersecurity insurance. Technology is great, but it also makes you vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Secure your business with a cybersecurity insurance policy at CIII Insurance Services.
We at CIII Insurance Services offer a broad range of commercial, cybersecurity, employee benefits, and management liability products. We even have some of the most trusted carriers to deliver these products to you.
